NASA Vending Machine 39: "Brave New World" (S5E8)

Unofficial Fan of “Robot or Not” Alexander wants to know what makes something official. Why are David Smith’s transcripts of The Talk Show “unofficial” if John Gruber links to them? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Awards Book Club reconvenes for 2026, as we discuss Nebula-nominated novels “Katabasis” by R.F. Kuang, “Wearing the Lion” by John Wiswell, and “Death of the Author” by Nnedi Okorafor. The mood of the panel is… cautious. Also: What else are we reading? Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Erika Ensign, Heather Berberet, Scott McNulty and Paul Weimer.

Now we’re in the thick of it. Avery is forced to grapple with her family history as she prepares for some serious duty. Miles is forced into extreme action to protect Happy Valley long enough to get some help. Polivanov and Boyd decide to take a terrifying joy ride. Kelly really leans into the whole “Ed Baldwin’s daughter” thing. And it’s a bad day to be a Padres fan, but what else is new? Dan Moren and Jason Snell.

Hello fellow nerds! We’re back after a short hiatus and super excited to talk Nine Inch Nails (mostly Trent Reznor), Gallifrey One, the Olympics and My Melody. We even dabble a little in sports psychology. It’s a strange combination, but we think it works. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet with Chelsea Hackman.

Welcome back to Missed Connections, a game in which our contestants must make four colorful word connections while guessing tricky (some might say problematically tricky) word clues. This episode was devised by a monstrous figure who lurks in the darkness, namely our own Brian Hamilton. Can Lex and Monty defeat Tony and Dan? Only time, and words, will tell. Jason Snell and Brian Hamilton with Lex Friedman, Monty Ashley, Dan Moren and Tony Sindelar.

In this episode… Jaee tries to be commanding. J’osh is a lover, not a fighter. K’ronng hides under things. Tink Her Bell is besties with Blueberry. And Tony is really good at Dungeons & Dragons. Tony Sindelar with Annette Wierstra, Chip Sudderth, Kathy Campbell and Monty Ashley.

Being mayor of New York City is back-breaking work and Wilson FIsk is ready for a little beach vacation after all that’s happened. It’s the season two finale of Daredevil and we’ve cracked open the law books to follow along with all the courtroom drama as Matt faces off with The Kingpin. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Listener Ed doesn’t keep his pizza wheel in his knife, but it’s got a blade and cuts things. What makes a knife a knife? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

This season of Maul - Shadow Lord concludes, and your Star Wars pals Dan, Kat, and Tony are here to discuss who survives, the strengths of animation, and Crimson Dawn’s reporting structure. Plus the conclusions of olive talk, Machiavelli’s The Prince, and our preferred apples. Lucasfilm Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and Kat Benesh.

Put on your eye phones and jack in to the cyberscape! Rocket Surgery comes for 1996’s cyberpunk epic “Lawnmower Man 2.” (Don’t worry if you haven’t seen the original “Lawnmower Man,” half of us didn’t either.) Matt Frewer is Max Headrooming it up! A bunch of urchins populate a rainy L.A. that’s straight out of “Blade Runner,” but, you know—cheaper. There’s a brilliant doctor in charge of virtual-reality research, and also there’s Jennifer! And everything in the future is hackable! Jason Snell with Monty Ashley, Tony Sindelar and Annette Wierstra.